Daniel Morcombe Foundation

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was established after Daniel Morcombe, a Sunshine Coast boy, was abducted while waiting for a bus on a busy highway in our local area. He is still missing. His parents, together with local community leaders, have collaborated to establish the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, through which funds raised will go:

• to educate children regarding their personal safety (including abduction)
• to assist victims of crime, particularly where crime involves children
• to provide a vehicle to attract funding from State and Federal bodies and to establish and maintain a public fund to attract public donations and bequests
• to continue the search for Daniel
• to raise funds from public and government entities to support the above objectives

Queensland and Australia have rallied behind the Morcombe family in the hope of finding Daniel. The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was created in response to a strengthened community resolve to ensure that this type of tragedy never occurs again.

Dance for Daniel

Terri Irwin and Australia Zoo crew attended the first annual Dance for Daniel, held at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday 4 March 2006. Australia Zoo donated a framed and autographed Steve Irwin khaki uniform with an original photo of Steve in the uniform. The item was placed in the auction for the night, and raised $3600 for the Daniel Morcombe charity. Australia Zoo also donated a prize pack including Australia Zoo merchandise and passes that was given away as a lucky door prize on the night.

As you would have read in this 'Zoo Gossip' article, this year Terri also attended the second annual 'Dance for Daniel' event held on March 3, 2007. It was a hugely successful event for the Daniel Morcombe foundation, providing more exposure for their cause and almost tripling their fundraising target! Terri Irwin and Australia Zoo are proud to provide continued support for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Here you can read the letter of appreciation which Terri received from Denise and Bruce Morcombe following the latest 'Dance for Daniel'. View letter

Children's Week

Australia Zoo proudly hosted celebrations for Children's Week from Friday 20 October to Tuesday 31 October 2006, featuring the launch of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation (DMF) DVD. The DVD launch was hosted by Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Mal Brough, as well as two young Children's Week ambassadors from local schools. Held in the Crocoseum and shown on the big screen, this was the first official screening of the DVD, which was created to promote child safety and create awareness of the issue in schools.

From 20 - 31 October, Australia Zoo had DMF wristbands for sale to raise money for the organisation, which provides education to children about personal safety, assists victims of crime and aims to continue the search for Daniel.

Day for Daniel

Tuesday 31 October was not only Australia Zoo's Halloween fun day; we also took the opportunity to support a Day for Daniel. The Queensland Police were here at the Zoo to help us increase awareness for this excellent cause, as were members of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Along with our fantastic Halloween fun, games and prizes, our guests won some fantastic prizes thanks to the DMF, including show bags with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation DVD, stickers, tattoos and a CD! Staff and guests showed their support for this worthy cause by wearing red wristbands and t-shirts on Tuesday 31 October.